Tuesday, January 29, 2013

A Bucket of Blooms

My grandfather was one of those guys that was hard to buy gifts for.

He was a carpenter by trade and an always an avid gardener
so we always thought of tools or garden supplies for a gift.

But it wasn't long before his workshop was stocked fairly well- with extra tools
for building and extra tools to tend to his plants.
So we usually ended up getting something like a special package of chocolates he loved
or something he could read.

As my grandmothers dementia worsened
we wanted to get something special for him at Christmas to brighten lonely days
When we shopped that year
and we were perusing the chocolates, puzzles and gift ideas at the store

we picked up a package of Amaryllis bulbs and pots for him to go along with his gift.

When he opened it- you could see the excitement on his face.

He planted those bulbs and watered them each day and when we would come over to see him ~

he would take us over to the window he had placed it in to show
us how much more they had grown in just a few days.

First it was just the green stalks, then the flower buds and then the blooms.

It was neat to see how excited he would get about that little pot of flowers

I knew we found the perfect gift for him and it made me smile to know
how much he enjoyed them.

Flowers are always something that I love to give and to receive

and that I have around the house year round.

They are a little bit of sunshine~especially in Winter when it's dark and dreary

and blooms outside are in hiding until it warms up.

So while shopping at Lowes for a Valentines Day gift idea for this months Creative Ideas project
I knew that I wanted do something with flowers
Right as I walked in the store
I smelled the most amazing scent and saw a sea of gorgeous blue, pink and purple blooms
Hyacinths.

I knew they would be perfect and chose a variety in blues, purples and pinks
I decided to plant them in a couple different containers for different ideas.
I grabbed a bag of potting soil and then was off to pick up containers.

I found the sweetest little white trio of pots planter in the indoor gardening section
Just $9.99~ it was perfect.

I absolutley love galvanized buckets and they are fantastic for planting in~
just make sure you poke a few holes in the bottoms for water drainage.
A small bucket is perfect for a single bloom

and 5 or 6 of the hyacinths inside a large bucket fill it nicely
(you can find the galvanized buckets in the paint section at Lowes)

Add a little handmade tag made from sheet metal
or a simple Valentine card and you have a
fragrant and beautiful bucket that is perfect as a gift
I also picked up a few other things while at Lowes and will share another
Valentines Day gift idea soon.

I might have wandered around Lowes for awhile after picking up the flowers

dreaming about new appliances and elements for the kitchen for a mini remodel I would love to do

Even as I notch of projects~ that list just keeps growing
Guess I better get busy over here.

I was compensated for this post as a member of the

Lowes Creative Ideas Network of Creators and Influencers but the designs and opinions are my own.

What a beautiful memory of your grandfather! And the flowers are so pretty. It's funny, I was remembering my grandfather as you spoke of yours. He would never open the presents we gave him in front of us. He always shook them and said he was sure a snake was inside just waiting to get out and bite him! Then he would chase us around laughing. Never saw him open a present once. But he was the sweetest. Thanks Courtney!

You always have the prettiest flowers in your posts. I'm looking for something to put in a new large planter that I now have on my dining room table... I thought about going to Lowe's to get flowers but didn't know if they would have these yet. Thanks for the inspiration...off to Lowe's I will go. melinda

What a lovely story of your grandfather. My grandmother was a keen gardener and I remember how beautiful her garden was I used to help her water her pots and hanging baskets as a child. Then we would have afternoon tea all set out on a pretty table with a tiny vase of flowers. Whenever I see beautiful flowers it takes me right back there as a child. Rosezeeta

What a beautiful story! Your hyacinths are amazing...they are some of my very favorites. A few years ago, when I first started my job at the elementary school, one of my students gave me the most gorgeous lilac-pink hyacinth. I saved the bulb and planted it, and it has come up every year since then. It's a beautiful reminder of all of the things I love: my students, my job, spring, flowers, and love! Thank you for sharing...now I need to get out to Lowe's and snag some for myself!

Flowers and birds bring me such joy. You have a wonderful eye for presenting beauty. I am totally envious of your skills. I have a project with my own home in Australia which is a classical verandahed colonial which I am sure you would restore with style and panache.I needed your touch to my country village apartment in the Loire Valley in France! Have a look on our website at loirevillageescape.com. So if you are needing a rest in a quintessentially French village, we are happy to share our view on the village square where you can watch the life of a classic French village.

That was such a sweet gift to your Grandfather. My husband works in a nursing home and sees the effect of Dimentia on the person and on the family. Your gift to your Grandfather was quite touching to me. Love Hyacinths! They are amazingly fragrant and lovely. Love how you've potted them. I hope you have a blessed weekend.God Bless,Kathy

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